West Des Moines, IA – A woman has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2011 shooting death of Ashley Okland, a 27-year-old realtor.
The 2011 Murder of Ashley Okland
On April 8, 2011, Ashley Okland was found inside a model townhome where she was hosting an open house. She had been shot twice and was rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Despite extensive efforts, the case went unsolved for almost 15 years.
During this time, the West Des Moines Police Department interviewed hundreds of people and followed over 1,000 leads to try and solve the case. In 2024, the state of Iowa launched a Cold Case Unit, and Ashley’s brother, Josh Okland, was present at the announcement of the new unit.
The Arrest of Kristin Ramsey
On March 17, 2024, 53-year-old Kristin Ramsey was indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder charges. Kristin Ramsey works at Midland Title and Escrow, a company linked to Rutland Homes, where Ashley Okland had worked at the time of her death. Police have not yet released a motive for the killing or revealed what led them to Ramsey as the suspect.
Assistant Police Chief Jody Hayes expressed the emotional toll the case had taken on investigators, saying, “Ashley’s story has kept many of us awake at night, revisiting the details over and over in our minds, searching for that missing piece that would tie everything together and lead us down the right path.”
What We Know About the Case
While the police have not commented on whether Ashley Okland and Kristin Ramsey knew each other, the new Cold Case Unit has brought new hope to the investigation. Ashley Okland’s family, especially her brother Josh, has worked tirelessly to keep her memory alive.
Josh Okland shared that a playground for children with special needs was built in his sister’s honor, a testament to the impact Ashley had on those around her. “I am proud to be her brother. She impacted so many people in such a positive way, and she was such a good role model for a short 27-year life. Her legacy lives on,” Josh said.
Kristin Ramsey’s Bond and Current Status
Kristin Ramsey is currently being held on a $2 million cash-only bond while she awaits trial. The police have not yet commented on whether further arrests will be made or if more information about the motive will be released.
